OK, so we all know by now that taking care of the gut is important. And fermented foods are an easy way to do that. Need some inspiration? Here’s 85 easy ways to eat more fermented foods. Did you know that almost 80% of your immune system stems form the gut? Yeah, that’s a lot. So what kind of shape do you think your immune system is in if your gut health is in the toilet? I’ve said it many times, and I will say it many times again: Good health starts in the gut. Keeping your internal ecosystem healthy and balanced is essential for a strong immune system and vital living. Eating fermented foods is one of the easiest and most economical ways to improve your gut flora. Humans have been fermenting foods for ages. And you may be surprised how easy it is to do at home.I get a lot of messages from readers telling me that fermenting foods is intimidating. And I get it. If you have never done it before, it can be a bit daunting. All I can say is that once you get started, you will see that it’s a lot easier than it seems and the possibilities are endless. You just have to jump in.THE PROCESS:What we are talking about here are REAL fermented foods that are lacto-fermented meaning that the starches and sugars in vegetables and fruits are converted into lactic acid by the many species of lactic-acid-producing bacteria present on the surface of all living things. Lactic acid is a natural preservative that inhibits putrefying bacteria. All you do is add SALT. Bacteria that could be harmful to us can’t tolerate much salt, but there are healthy bacteria that can. Lacto-fermentation wipes out the bad guys , then lets the good guys get to work . The product is a living food, full of enzymes and probiotics.THE EQUIPMENT:You don’t need any fancy equipment to start fermenting foods. When I first started out, I used wide mouth canning jars (1/2 gallon) with plastic lids. I would stay away from plastic fermentation containers as the chemicals can leach into your food as it ferments.I eventually moved up to using fermentation lids with airlocks. They work beautifully. What I love about these is that I don’t have to “burp” my ferments. And the airtight lids and airlocks create a perfect anaerobic environment (which is what you want for fermentation.)Last year, I splurged and bought myself a fermentation crock to make large batches of sauerkraut. It’s amazing. It has a water channel that create s an airtight seal. It also comes with a stone weight to keep all of the vegetables completely submerged (which is important to inhibit the growth of funky stuff on your ferments.) I love my crock.OK, what are you waiting for? Time to get fermenting. Here’s 85 easy and delicious fermented foods to get you started:DRINKS1. How to Make Water Kefir from Delicious Obsessions2. Lacto-Fermented Blueberry Soda from Fearless Eating3. Cultured Strawberry Soda from Holistic Squid4. Fermented Lemonade from Mind Body Oasis5. How to Make a Ginger Bug from Nourished Kitchen6. Fermented Orange Juice from Oh Lardy7. Lacto-Fermented Fruit Kvass from The Elliot Homestead8. Fermented Tea from Mind Body Oasis9. How to Make Kombucha from Phoenix Helix10. Peach Kombucha from Hollywood Homestead11. Strawberry Kombucha from Hollywood Homestead12. Apricot Kombucha from Hollywood Homestead13. How to Ferment Your Nettle Harvest from Delicious Obsessions VEGGIES14. Fermented Asparagus from Mind Body Oasis15. Fermented Pickles from Mind Body Oasis16. Fermented Carrots from It’s a Love/Love Thing17. Lacto-Fermented Red Onions from Delicious Obsessions18. Fermented Garlic from The Sprouting Seed19. Pickled Peppers from Mommypotamus20. Lacto-Fermented Citrus Ginger Carrots from Delicious Obsessions21. Easy Homemade Dill Pickles from Primally Inspired22. Lacto-Fermented Garlic Pickles from Real Food Outlaws23. Lacto-Fermented Curried Squash and Zucchini from Delicious Obsessions24. Lacto-Fermented Summer Squash and Zucchini Pickles from Fearless Eating25. Raw Brussels Sprout Kimchi from Jar of Honey26. Dilly Carrots from Oh Lardy27. Fermented Carrot Sticks from Real Food RN28. Fermented Ginger Carrots from Stupid Easy Paleo29. Indian-Spiced Lacto-Fermented Cauliflower from Delicious Obsessions30. Fermented Carolina Coleslaw from Oh Lardy31. Fermented Radishes from Mommypotamus32. Fermented Mushrooms from Oh Lardy33. Pickled Brussels Sprouts from Delicious Obsessions34. Sweet and Sour Fermented Coleslaw from Homemade Mommy35. Raw Kimchi Green Beans from Jar of Honey